Why have shortages of fertilizer and farming equipment affected North Korean food production?

North Korea’s chronic shortages of fertilizer and farming equipment are primarily rooted in the country's severe economic decline following the collapse of the Soviet Union and its eastern European allies in the early 1990s. This geopolitical shift deprived North Korea of its primary trading partners and essential economic aid, leaving the state unable to maintain the inputs necessary for its agricultural sector.1

These shortages were further exacerbated by a series of natural disasters, including floods and droughts, that occurred in the mid-1990s. The resulting economic crisis hindered the government's ability to import essential commodities, such as machinery and chemical fertilizers, which are critical for sustaining food production.12

While North Korea has historically prioritized a policy of self-reliance, or juche, the country has consistently struggled to meet its agricultural goals. The lack of adequate equipment and fertilizer, combined with environmental degradation—such as deforestation that leads to flooding—has created persistent challenges for the nation's food security.12